Jahlil Okafor’s Street Fight Not A Product Of “The Process”

Jahlil Okafor’s street fight incident is not a product of “the process,” like some believe.

Late Wednesday night, and possibly even Thanksgiving morning, Jahlil Okafor of the Philadelphia 76ers was reportedly involved in a street fight in Boston, Massachusetts following a tough loss to the Boston Celtics outside a night club in the city. TMZ first reported the incident, and video from either a bystander, or an involved party (it was not made clear where the video came from).

If you haven’t seen the video, check it out with the link above. Just as a disclaimer, it’s slightly NSFW.

Although this fight on the surface seems like a terrible thing, it might not be that bad. And really, it isn’t ideal by any means. With the Sixers now 0-16, having their star be the headline story for TMZ on Thanksgiving day following a record-tying loss was not good. No distractions really are good. The drama that may come along, and further charges that may be pressed are worrying as well. No arrests were made, and everyone fled the scene following the incident, according to TMZ.

The fact that the story comes from TMZ doesn’t sit well either. TMZ is a very click-baitish website, and juicing up a story that doesn’t have much bite is practically their job.

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But let’s sit in Okafor’s shoes for a moment. Following the loss, he went out on the town with some friends and a teammate (unnamed), likely to try and feel better about how the season was going. Fans yelling at you “Sixers suck” while not even on the court is frustrating. Then, as you leave the club, you get swarmed on the street and heckled some more. On top of that, one of your teammates is physically harmed by one of the hecklers (according to Jah’s side of the story). Don’t you think you would do something as well?

I’m not justifying big Jah’s actions. In fact, if I were to say anything to him right now, it would be that he needs to smarten up, mature, and learn when to control himself, and ignore the hecklers. At the same time, he’s so young, and mistakes like this are, at times, inevitable. It’s a learning process, for sure.

But that’s not what this post is about.

Some are blaming the rebuilding process that Sam Hinkie has put in place for Okafor’s actions, saying that this wouldn’t have happened anywhere else. Let me be perfectly clear: This street scuffle is not a product of the process, it’s a product of the immaturity that Jahlil possesses.

The lack of winning has Jahlil bouncing off of the walls, but the lack of wins should not be used as an excuse for Jah’s actions, or for leverage for those who oppose the process to bolster their argument that doesn’t have a whole lot of bite to it.

One article did put it in a more pleasing manner, but made the headline seem as if “the process” was still to blame. Ultimately, the article argued that the philosophy of being okay with a young roster isn’t okay, and the team should have a few veterans around to help the rookies keep their heads. But this article refers to these veterans as “chaperones” and the 19-year old NBA star as a “youngster” (like he’s playing street ball in a north Philadelphia park). This is the wrong idea.

Veterans, although against the overall idea of the rebuilding scheme, are a good idea. They offer more court experience, knowledge of the game and how the NBA works, and wisdom that they can offer younger players. But the Sixers should not bring in a vet to babysit their younger players.

Jahlil’s actions on Friday night disappointed me. I truly believed he was shaping up to be a player to look up to for young fans, and a player to respect in the long haul. But as it’s shaping up, he’s growing to be a lot like his loud mouth father, who seems to be a bit too outspoken, and perhaps emotional. I’m not suggesting that this unfortunate situation is ruining Okafor’s career like some do. But at the same time, I don’t believe these actions are a product of the process, and the lack of winning. This is a product of a lack of self control, and an immaturity that comes along with being a 19-year-old.

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I know this post has probably already lost the support of some just because of how polarizing this subject is, and I know some disagree with me about this situation. I know some don’t see this as a lapse of judgement on Okafor’s part, and do truly feel as if it is the processes part.

The truth is I’m frustrated with Jahlil. More frustrated than I’ve ever been with Sam Hinkie.